Vinylogous Esters Research Articles

Tandem Acylation and Aromatization of Vinylogous Esters: A Regiospecific Approach to Resorcinyl Ketones.

This study demonstrates the direct conversion of vinylogous esters into selectively protected 6-acyl resorcinols (4-alkoxy/aryloxy-2-hydroxy arylketones) in a regiospecific manner. Resorcinyl ketones are first-time synthesized, diverging from their traditional roots, originating from non-benzenoid pool materials. Converting cyclohexenones into phenol- or resorcinol-based arylketones remains challenging due to the stability and reactivity issues of intermediate products. Addressing this critical gap, we introduce a novel strategy: sequential one-pot acylation and oxidative aromatization of vinylogous esters. This innovative approach aims to surmount the long-standing barrier, facilitating the synthesis of diverse resorcinyl ketones. Furthermore, this method proves valuable for the synthesis of functionalized diaryl ethers and in the total synthesis of bioactive natural products and drug molecules such as angolensin, isoliquiritigenin, demethylsorbicillin, ponganone VII, and ipriflavone. It is also useful for modifying bioactive acids and alcohols by introducing a resorcinol functionality in the late stage of synthesis. Synthetic analogues of oxybenzone demonstrated superior ultraviolet (UV) absorption properties, effectively covering the entire UV-A and UV-B regions, spanning from 230 to 410 nm.

Geldanamycin, a Naturally Occurring Inhibitor of Hsp90 and a Lead Compound for Medicinal Chemistry.

Geldanamycin remains a driver in the medicinal chemistry of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibition, even half a century after its original isolation from nature. This Perspective focuses on the properties of the benzoquinone ring of the natural product that enable a range of functionalization reactions to take place. Therefore, inherent reactivity at C-17, where the methoxy group serves as a vinylogous ester, and at C-19 that demonstrates nucleophilic, enamide-type character toward electrophiles, and also as a conjugate acceptor to react with nucleophiles, has facilitated the synthesis of semisynthetic derivatives. Thus, a range of C-17-substituted amine derivatives has been investigated in oncology applications, with a number of compounds in this series reaching clinical trials. In contrast, the 19-position of geldanamycin has received less attention, although 19-substituted derivatives offer promise with markedly reduced toxicity compared to geldanamycin itself, while retaining Hsp90 inhibitory activity albeit with diminished potency in cellular studies.

Synthesis of the I-K Fused Polyether Array of CTX3C and Related Ciguatoxins by Use of a Gold-Catalyzed Cyclization Reaction.

The I-K fragment (C31-C49) of the ciguatoxin CTX3C has been synthesized from a simple chiral pool derived tetrahydropyranyl alcohol. An efficient gold-catalyzed cyclization reaction of a γ'-hydroxy ynone has been used to accomplish efficient closure of ring K under mild conditions. The resulting vinylogous ester has been elaborated to give a complete tricyclic fragment bearing the dimethyl-substituted side chain required for assembly of the LM spirocyclic acetal portion of the target.

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Conjugate Addition in a Tandem Synthesis of δ-Substituted Cyclohexenones and Four-Step Total Synthesis of Penienone.

A bisperfluorotoluyl-BINOL catalyzed conjugate addition of trifluoroborate salts to doubly vinylogous esters and aldol condensation synthesized chiral δ-substituted cyclohexenones with high yields and enantioselectivities (10 examples, up to 89% yield, 89-98% ee). Stepwise and single-pot sequences were developed, with the former also providing β-substituted masked ketoaldehydes containing a vinyl ether. The transformation was used in a four-step total synthesis of penienone (24% overall yield), ≤ half the steps as in previous syntheses.

The Role of Through-Bond Stereoelectronic Effects in the Reactivity of 3-Azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes.

Hyperconjugation/conjugation through-bond stereoelectronic effects were studied with density functional theory in the context of 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes to unravel puzzling differences in reactivity between a vinylogous chloride (4) and a vinylogous ester (5). These compounds─whose structures differ only by one substituent─were found to display strikingly different reactivities in hydrochloric acid by Risch and co-workers ( J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1991, 113, 9411-9412). Computational analyses of substituent effects, noncovalent interactions, natural bond orbitals, isodesmic reactions, and hydration propensities lead to a model for which the role of remote, through-bond stereoelectronic effects is the key to explaining 4 and 5's diverging reactivity.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Giese Reactions: Decarboxylative Additions to Cyclic Vinylogous Amides and Esters.

An effective strategy has been developed for the photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative addition of cyclic amino acids to both vinylogous amides and esters leading to uniquely substituted heterocycles. The additions take place exclusively trans to the substituent present on the dihydropyridone ring affording stereochemical control about the new carbon-carbon bond. These reactions are operationally simplistic and afford the desired products in good to excellent isolated yields.

Concise stereoselective and stereodivergent syntheses of (±)-melicolones A and B

The first total syntheses of the epimeric (±)-melicolones A and B, which are bioactive constituents isolated as racemates from the leaves of Melicope ptelefolia, were achieved in 12.3% combined overall yield. The divergent approach to these unusual natural products is remarkably concise and required a longest linear sequence of only nine steps (11 total steps) from commercially available starting materials. The significant synthetic challenge posed by the unique and densely functionalized polycyclic framework characteristic of the melicolones was addressed by a novel and highly regioselective (16:1) and diastereoselective (15:1) dipolar cycloaddition to deliver the oxabicycloheptane core. This pivotal reaction featured an innovative combination of an unsaturated vinylogous ester dipolarophile with a carbonyl ylide that was generated by an unusual cyclization of the carbonyl oxygen atom of an aliphatic aldehyde with a rhodium carbenoid. Stereoselective prenylation of the ketone enolate derived from this bicyclic core gave an intermediate that was processed via a one-pot O-demethylation cycloaldolization sequence to give the penultimate intermediate. The synthesis was completed by a bioinspired tandem epoxidation of the prenyl substituent followed by a regioselective, acid-catalyzed cyclization to deliver (±)-melicolones A and B. This approach may be applicable to the syntheses of other melicolones having a tetracyclic core.

De novo synthesis of an l-lemonose thioglycoside donor from d-Threonine

A short de novo synthesis of an l-lemonose thioglycoside donor is described starting from d-threonine. The synthesis leverages a Dieckmann condensation and Stork-Danheiser transposition to arrive at a key vinylogous ester intermediate on gram scale. Ensuing 1,2-addition diastereoselectively establishes the C3 tetra-substituted center and subsequent glycal hydration allows for anomeric functionalization to the thioglycoside. 1H and NOESY NMR analyses reveal that the major α-anomer of the thioglycoside deviates from the expected 1C4 conformation.

Total Synthesis of Natural Products Containing Enamine or Enol Ether Derivatives.

Enamine and enol ethers are nucleophilic functional groups that are well known to most chemists. When enamine or enol ethers are present in natural products, they are nearly exclusively found as derivatives having a direct connection to electron-withdrawing groups for stabilization, and the resulting larger entities, such as enamides or enol acylates, can be further extended or modified in the framework of natural products. The restricted conformational space that is associated with even simple enamine and enol ether derivatives can be a strong determinant of the overall molecular structure, and the more polarized derivatives can endow some natural products with electrophilic properties and thus facilitate covalent interactions with biological targets.In this Account, I describe our efforts (published since 2016) to prepare natural products from several different classes that all feature enamine or enol ether derivatives as key functionalities. Our choice of targets has been guided by a desire to illuminate unknown biological mechanisms associated with the compounds or, alternatively, to improve upon known biological activities that appear to be promising from a biomedical perspective. In the present text, however, the exclusive focus will be on the syntheses.First, I will discuss the basic properties of the functional groups and briefly present a small collection of illustrative and inspirational examples from the literature for their construction in different complex settings. Next, I will provide an overview of our work on the macrocyclic APD-CLD natural products, rakicidin A and BE-43547A1, involving the development of an efficient macrocyclization strategy and the development of methods to construct the hallmark APD group: a modified enamide. The synthesis of the meroterpenoid strongylophorine-26 is discussed next, where we developed an oxidative quinone methoxylation to build a vinylogous ester group in the final step of the synthesis and employed FeCl3-mediated cascade reactions for the rapid assembly of the overall scaffold to enable a short semisynthesis from isocupressic acid. An efficient core scaffold assembly was also in focus in our synthesis of the alkaloid streptazone A with the signature enaminone system being assembled through a rhodium-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction. Sequential, site-selective redox manipulations were developed to arrive at strepatzone A and additional members of the natural product family. Finally, I discuss our work to prepare analogs of complex polyether ionophores featuring functionalized tetronic acids as cation-binding groups. A method for the construction of a suitably protected chloromethylidene-modified tetronate is presented which enabled its installation in the full structure through a C-acylation reaction. This work exemplifies how components of abundant polyether ionophores can be recycled and used to access new structures which may possess enhanced biological activities.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Direct Intermolecular Allylation of α-Aryl Cyclic Vinylogous Esters: Divergent Synthesis of (+)-Oxomaritidine and (-)-Mesembrine.

We demonstrate that α-aryl cyclic vinylogous esters are competent substrates in the direct intermolecular Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation, enabling a straightforward enantioselective synthesis of 6-allyl-6-aryl-3-ethoxycyclohex-2-en-1-ones, common motifs embedded in numerous structurally diverse natural products. As an initial demonstration of the utility of this protocol, the first catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-oxomaritidine and an improved five-step catalytic enantioselective synthesis of (-)-mesembrine have been completed divergently.

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-rubrobramide, (+)-talaramide A, and (-)-berkeleyamide D by a skeletal diversification strategy.

A unified synthesis of (+)-rubrobramide, (+)-talaramide A, and (-)-berkeleyamide D was achieved from the vinylogous esters by a skeletal diversification strategy based on regioselective 5-exo or 6-endo cyclization. This report describes the first enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-rubrobramide and (+)-talaramide A. Additionally, synthetic spirocyclic lactam compounds, including (-)-berkeleyamide D, showed moderate inhibitory activity against amyloid-β aggregation for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Haloarene-guided cascade arylation of cyclic vinylogous esters under palladium catalysis.

A method is presented for the synthesis of diaryl cyclic vinylogous esters. The sequence of C(sp3)-H arylation events is programed under the differentiated reactivity of the aryl halides, and the optimized reaction system is effectively diverted from producing dihomo-arylated products. The site selectivity of the second arylation is notably modulated by the substitution pattern of the substrates.

Relay Catalysis To Synthesize β-Substituted Enones: Organocatalytic Substitution of Vinylogous Esters and Amides with Organoboronates

Organocatalysis was shown to facilitate conjugate additions to vinylogous esters and amides for the first time. Subsequent elimination of a β-alcohol or amine provided π-conjugated β-substituted enones. Remarkably, nucleophile addition to the electron-rich vinylogous substrates is more rapid than classical enones, forming monosubstituted products. A doubly organocatalytic (organic diol and methyl aniline) conjugate addition synthesized the products directly from alkynyl ketones. Both of these catalytic transformations are orthogonal to transition metal catalysis, allowing for good yields, easily accessible or commercially available reagents, high selectivity, reagent recovery and recyclability, facile scalability, and exceptional functional group tolerance.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Arylation of Vinylogous Esters Enabled by Tris(1-adamantyl)phosphine.

Described is a method for the transformation of a cyclic vinylogous ester to the corresponding polyarylated product. We found a catalytic system comprising palladium diacetate and tris(1-adamantyl)phosphine is quite effective in promoting a set of controlled cascade arylations. As a result, a range of novel (hetero)aryl-containing scaffolds was synthesized with a high level of efficiency.

Chemists synthesize natural insecticide in 16 steps

Although chemists have known about the molecule perseanol since the 1990s, no one has completed a total synthesis of the complex, polycyclic insecticide, until now. California Institute of Technology chemistry professor Sarah E. Reisman and graduate students Arthur Han and Yujia Tao constructed perseanol in just 16 steps, starting from a commercially available vinylogous ester and pulegone—a compound found in plants like catnip. The chemists’ strategy features a one-pot palladium-catalyzed cascade and carbon monoxide insertion reaction that stitches together most of perseanol’s polycyclic core (Nature 2019, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1580-x). Learn more at cenm.ag/perseanol. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch all of our chemistry news videos. The following is the script for the video. We have edited the interviews within for length and clarity. Matt Davenport: In the 1990s, a team of scientists was in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, hoping to find some interesting molecules in the island’s plants. They

A unified approach to sesquiterpenes sharing trimethyl(p-tolyl) cyclopentanes: Formal total synthesis of (±)-laurokamurene B

A unified approach to the sesquiterpenoids sharing common trimethyl(p-tolyl) cyclopentane skeleton has been disclosed via a key Stork-Danheiser sequence on a cyclopentane based vinylogous ester with aryl Grignard reagent followed by α-methylation strategy. The strategy is eventually applied to the concise formal total synthesis of (±)-laurokamurene B (1b) in only 5 steps with 45.4% overall yield.

Rapid and Multigram Synthesis of Vinylogous Esters under Continuous Flow: An Access to Transetherification and Reverse Reaction of Vinylogous Esters

An environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of vinylogous esters from 1,3-diketone and its reverse reaction under continuous-flow has been developed with alcohols in the presence of inexpe...

Reversible chemoselective transetherification of vinylogous esters using Fe-catalyst under additive free conditions.

An additive/Brønsted acid/base free, highly efficient and chemoselective transetherification of electron deficient vinylogous esters and water mediated de-alkylation using an earth-abundant Fe-catalyst under very mild reaction conditions is described. This reaction is highly selective to primary alcohols over secondary alcohols, has good functional group tolerance, is scalable to gram scale and a purification free sequential transetherification in a continuous flow mode is demonstrated.

Neolymphostin A Is a Covalent Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI3K)/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Dual Inhibitor That Employs an Unusual Electrophilic Vinylogous Ester.

Using a novel chemistry-based assay for identifying electrophilic natural products in unprocessed extracts, we identified the PI3-kinase/mTOR dual inhibitor neolymphostin A from Salinispora arenicola CNY-486. The method further showed that the vinylogous ester substituent on the neolymphostin core was the exact site for enzyme conjugation. Tandem MS/MS experiments on PI3Kα treated with the inhibitor revealed that neolymphostin covalently modified Lys802 with a shift in mass of +306 amu, corresponding to addition of the inhibitor and elimination of methanol. The binding pose of the inhibitor bound to PI3Kα was modeled, and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry experiments supported this model. Against a panel of kinases, neolymphostin showed good selectivity for PI3-kinase and mTOR. In addition, the natural product blocked AKT phosphorylation in live cells with an IC50 of ∼3 nM. Taken together, neolymphostin is the first reported example of a covalent kinase inhibitor from the bacterial domain of life.

Palladium-Catalyzed α-Arylation of Cyclic Vinylogous Esters for the Synthesis of γ-Arylcyclohexenones and Total Synthesis of Aromatic Podocarpane Diterpenoids.

Described is a method for the formal γ-arylation of cyclohexenones allowing synthesis of a remote all-carbon quaternary center. The process involves the palladium-catalyzed α-arylation of a α-substituted cyclic vinylogous ester followed by the Stork-Danheiser transposition. The synthetic utility of this protocol is featured in the total syntheses of (±)-12-hydroxy-13-methylpodocarpa-8,11,13-trien-3-one, (±)-3β,12-dihydroxy-13-methylpodocarpane-8,11,13-triene, and (±)-O-methyl nimbinone.